Severe Weather

Rain causes sinkhole in Sparta shopping center lot

The recent heavy rain in Sparta has caused problems for area residents, including a sinkhole at a shopping center.

The sinkhole, in the Trojan Village shopping center at 665 South Main St., has closed about a third of the lot. The stores aren't in danger and remain open, town officials said.

Significant damage has also occurred at Alleghany Chiropractic Center. Nearby Halsey Street has been washed away.

Witnesses said the rain started around 7 p.m. Sunday and didn't let up until around midnight. National Weather Service Doppler radar estimated a total of 5 inches of rain fell directly on Sparta, with some reports as high as 7 inches.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Sunday it was "very alarmed" by reports of widespread doping by track and field athletes in major competitions including the Olympic Games and world championships.

The Obama administration will unveil a major climate change plan Monday aimed at a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's coal-burning power plants, a senior administration official told CNN.